Are you concerned about the temperature of your central heating? We look at what temperature is too cold for a house? Find out more about the ideal heating for your home.

Cold homes and health

There is absolutely no doubt about it; a cold home is bad for your health. If you are struggling to pay the heating bills at the end of the month, so sitting in a damp and cold property, then your health may well suffer for it. 

There are various problems and diseases associated with sustained periods of residing in the cold. These can range from blood pressure fluctuations and catching a common cold to pneumonia and heart attacks.

Even outside of poor health repercussions, cold-related illness can cause all kinds of social issues too. You may have to take time off work, you become slowly become socially isolated, and sleeping may be difficult. This can then lead to mental or stress-related illnesses, as well as all kinds of negative effects passed on to your circle of family and friends.

Who can be affected?

People who suffer from an existing health condition will be more likely to be vulnerable to the cold. This includes physical conditions such as arthritis, circulatory issues, and diabetes. It also includes mental illnesses such as people with anxiety or depression. 

Some respiratory conditions such as asthma can be made severely worse by the cold. Especially if the living space is filled with dampness or mould, which can often be the case in under-heated and poorly aerated homes.

Children, the elderly, and people with specific disabilities can also fall into the high-risk category.

How cold is too cold?

If your home has a central heating system, then you potentially may have a room thermostat that will allow you to control and monitor the temperatures around your home. 

The thermostat will send a discreet signal to your boiler, which will tell the system when to switch off and stop producing heat once the property is warm enough. 

You may be able to find modern heating controls which will allow you to merge a heating timer with a thermostat, this allows you to set different temperatures for various different points of the day.

Below 13° - If your home is regularly this cold, then it may boost the risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as your blood pressure..

14-15° - If your home is regularly at this temperature, then it may be decreasing your resistance to various respiratory diseases and conditions.

18° - This is the recommended temperature for a bedroom during the nightime.

19-21° - This is the recommended temperature for an occupied room during the daytime.

24-27º - This is far too warm, and it can put babies and young children at risk

Tips for warming up the house in cold weather

• We would recommend scheduling your heating to come on just before you get up, and switching the system off just before you go to bed. If the property is very cold, then you can set the system to stay on for longer. This is a better method than turning the thermostat up.
  
• Close the curtains of our home when it starts to become dark in the evenings. Tuck them behind the radiator, if there is one nearby, and shut the doors to rooms that are used the most within the property.
  
• In the evenings you can keep warm with a hot water bottle or an electric blanket. Though you should never use these two at the same time, as this is a major safety hazard.
  
• Are you off the mains gas or electricity? Ensure that you are keeping an adequate fuel supply in order to avoid running out in the colder parts of the year. Maybe consider gaining membership to an oil club in order to save money.
  
• Another top tip is to regularly have hot drinks throughout the day, as well as ensure that you eat at least one hot meal if that is possible. Eating regularly is a great way to keep your energy levels up throughout the winter.
  

How to reduce condensation, dampness and mould

Oftentimes, dampness is caused by condensation. The moisture can then lead to mould growth, usually in the form of clouds of small black dots. 

Condensation will occur when moist air comes into contact with a cool surface, such as a window, mirror, or wall. Mould can also form in locations where the air is completely still, such as within a wardrobe, behind untouched furniture, or in the corner of a room. 

Below are some tips to reduce moisture in your home:

• Keep any lids on top of saucepans when you are cooking
  
• Dry clothes in the fresh air, if possible, don't use the radiator
  
• Vent your tumble dryer to the outdoors
  
• Avoid using flue-less bottled gas heaters or paraffin heaters. These tools create a lot of moisture.
  

Ensure that moist air is leaving your home, and fresh air is coming in:

• Extractor fans are a fantastic way to get rid of all of the moist air and steam. These can be installed in kitchens, bathrooms, and utility rooms, they are a fantastic way to ensure that fewer condensation forms
  
• If you are having a bath or cooking, keep the door shut but open the window wide. This will allow the steam formed in the room to escape.
  
• Allow fresh air to circulate around your home; this is a great way to stop mould from forming. Ensure that there is a sizable gap between furniture and the walls so that air can pass through. We would also recommend giving cupboards and wardrobes an occasional airing to ensure mould doesn't form there too.
  

Ways to warm up your home:

• Rooms that are very cold are far more likely to encounter issues with mould and dampness. Switch your radiators onto the lowest setting. This should at least produce some heat. If you do not have a central heating system, then perhaps consider using a room heater; try to find one which has a timer as well as temperature control installed.
  
• Insulate your home, and ensure it is draught-proof. Cavity wall insulation and loft insulation are great places to start.
  

If you require Central Heating services in Southampton and the surrounding areas, contact our specialist heating engineer today. Follow the link to find heating experts near you.